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Synapse House

EIN 45-3691333 · Downers Grove, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ENGAGE, EMPOWER AND EMPLOY INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY BRAIN INJURY AND STROKE BACK TO LIFE, THE COMMUNITY AND WORKPLACE THROUGH THE CLUBHOUSE PROGRAM AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES

Income
$655,801
Spending
$679,483
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 57%
Employees
22
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$73,224, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 69% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $368,407 spent. CLUBHOUSE DAY - THE CLUBHOUSE DAY PROGRAM IS THE MAIN PROGRAM BASED UPON THE CLUBHOUSE MODEL THAT PROVIDES REAL WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS TO REGAIN SKILLS, IMPROVE SELF ESTEEM AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE. THE CLUBHOUSE PROGRAM SERVES 8-15 PEOPLE DAILY FOR A 5 HOUR DAY. THE PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES (CARF) FOR COMMUNITY INTEGRATION.
  2. $82,737 spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES - SYNAPSE HOUSE PROVIDES ASSISTANCE WITH WORK READINESS, JOB SEARCHES, JOB PLACEMENT, RETENTION AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT NEEDS. SYNAPSE HOUSE HAS A CONTRACT WITH THE DEPT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO PROVIDE SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT AND JOB COACHING SERVICES.
  3. $76,305 spent. COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES - SYNAPSE HOUSE PROVIDES IN HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES TO VETERANS. THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON IMPROVING INDEPENDENCE, HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND BUILDING A NETWORK OF SUPPORT.
  4. $15,461 spent. KNZ NEURO-FITNESS & GYM - SYNAPSE HOUSE PROVIDES AN ADAPTIVE GYM, EXERCISE GROUPS AND PERSONAL TRAINING TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.